Hurdles To Taxing Services Abound

Ohio Governor John Kasich's plan to tax the services of attorneys, lobbyists and accountants faces a host of hurdles.

Similar proposals foundered in Michigan and Florida in part because big law and accounting firms often do business across state and international lines, making it a difficult tax to calculate and impose. Some of the targeted businesses say it's anti-competitive. Kasich concedes lobbyists will probably try to get the tax removed from his budget bill. Professional organizations for Ohio attorneys and accountants say they are hearing concerns but still evaluating the Republican governor's budget package.